12 Week old Bunny (Eating Amounts)

[Winston]

Hello, I am hoping I might find someone on here that will know more about pellet feeding (amounts, rather then 10% to 20% ratio to hay). So, would anyone know if 1/8 a cup of pellets, is too much, or too little to be feeding my 10'ish Weeks old; Male, Holland Lop, daily?

Also, I read that I should not introduce any kind of veggies or fruits till he was older. Does anyone have advice on when I should start adding in healthy veggies? Thanks again for any info or help

Right now he has all the hay he can eat, as well as fresh spring water refilled as needed, and I'm hand feeding him pellets but I'm really worried I'm either giving too much or too little in regards to pellets.

 

[Blue eyes]

The general rule of thumb is to allow rabbits under 6 months of age to be free fed healthy pellets (type of pellets is important - no colorful mixes, only plain). The only exception would be if bunny begins to eat less hay in favor of the pellets. In that case, pellets can be reduced. But normally, pellets are not restricted until bunny is around 6 months of age.

For rabbits that had not been fed greens along with momma while nursing, it is advised to wait until about 12 weeks of age before very slowly introducing greens (one type at a time). To see how to go about introducing greens, check here.

 

[ladysown]

1/2 cup pellets daily. Now and for rest of life. This is its meat and potatoes of the diet.

 

[Winston]

Thanks for the awesome info It will help out and makes me feel a lot better.

 

[Blue eyes]

Winston will be approaching the 12 week mark pretty soon! When he does, you can start introducing greens (one type at a time per that link above). Gradually, as you get a growing list of greens that he tolerates, the amount of greens can also be increased. In time, he'll be up to about 2 cups of greens per day.

Since you didn't like the "ratio" suggestions you'd been seeing, I started working on a visual to use on my website. The following picture might help you visualize the quantity differences -- this would be for a rabbit over 6 months of age. Of course that would be after your bunny gets used to those greens and then is old enough to have his pellets limited.

Hopefully the picture helps...

 

[Winston]

Love the picture actually, very useful. Thank you for posting it

As for introducing the greens, I can do that at 12 weeks old? I thought I read I couldn't start until he was six months old. It would be great if I could start at 12 weeks as I look forward to introducing them. Thank you again.

 

[Watermelons]

Yes you can. Just go slow and watch for GI upset as with anything new.

 

[bluebird]

You can free feed babies.

 

[Blue eyes]

Love the picture actually, very useful. Thank you for posting it

As for introducing the greens, I can do that at 12 weeks old? I thought I read I couldn't start until he was six months old. It would be great if I could start at 12 weeks as I look forward to introducing them. Thank you again.

Thank you! I'm glad it helps.

As Watermelons stated, it is fine to start introducing greens as long as it is done slowly and with purpose. There is a right way to do it (and lots of wrong ways ). This shows how to go about it safely.

 

[Winston]

He turns 12 weeks tomorrow so I guess I will introduce him to a nipple or two

 

[Winston]

(Blue Eyes): He is doing very good on the food so far. Thank you again for that chart!

 

[Blue eyes]

You're welcome! Glad he's doing well.